Category: SouthEast

The people of oil producing Ugborodo federated communities in Warri Southwest Council of Delta State have issued a 30-day ultimatum to oil firms operating in the area to adhere to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and give them Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT).

They said the implementation of extant laws and regulations of the PIA must be followed by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), other ‘settlors’, as well as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

This decision was reached after a robust and extensive general meeting of Ugborodo community, comprising Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho and Ijaghala, among other adjoining communities, held at Ode-Ugborodo, headquarters of the communities, at the weekend. 

The development may not be unconnected to the unveiling of three Host Communities Development Trusts, Iwereland (Itsekiri) included, by SPDC at the Shell Multipurpose Hall, Ogunu in Warri on July 27.

Among those present at the Ugborodo meeting were the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodoland and Chairman of Ugborodo Community Council of Elders, Eghare Daniel Uwawah; All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Ayiri Emami; member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi; former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Projects Executive Director, Tuoyo Omatsuli, an engineer; the Igbajor of Ugborodo, Prince Perry Atete and Mr. Isaac Botosan.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, which was conducted in Itsekiri language, a community leader, Alex Eyengho, said the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT) remains the adopted name by Ugborodo community for the implementation of the PIA.

He read out the resolution of the meeting, stating thus: “Ugborodo community remains steadfast on the insistence that the extant laws of the PIA and the accompanying regulations of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) must be followed religiously in the implementation of the PIA, particularly as it concerns the constitution of members of the Trustees, Management Committee and Advisory Committee.

“Ugborodo Community and the NUPRC are on the same page on the all-important issue of adherence to the relevant laws and regulations guiding the implementation of the PIA in all ramifications, and this much has been made known by the NUPRC to the ‘settlors’ (Chevron, Shell and other international oil companies, IOCs) operating in Ugborodoland.”

“The interventions of the Delta State Government in the lingering issue concerning the implementation of the PIA in Ugborodo community have been only to the extent of advocating for peace in the area and further advising the Ugborodo community to settle its internal problems.

“The Ugborodo community maintains its earlier position already in the public domain that it is not in any way whatsoever going against the Olu of Warri, the palace, and/or the other Itsekiri communities. 

“All the Ugborodo community has said and still maintained until tomorrow is that the extant laws must be followed religiously in the implementation of the PIA, particularly in Ugborodoland.

“As host community, Ugborodo community is big enough to have its own separate HCDT without prejudice to other host communities in Itsekiriland who may want to be lumped together under one HCDT. 

“To this end, and for the purposes of emphasis, the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT), has since been adopted by the good people of Ugborodo community. This is our irreducible position on the issue of the implementation of PIA in Ugborodo community.

“Finally, we are using this opportunity to give Chevron, Shell and other ‘settlors’ operating in Ugborodo community, and the NUPRC a period of 30 days ultimatum from today, July 29, 2023, within which to follow the extant laws and regulations of the PIA by giving to Ugborodo community the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust (Ikpere-HCDT), in the overall interest of peace, enabling environment, equity, justice and fair play. 

“After the expiration of this ultimatum, Ugborodo community shall take its destiny in its hands but within the ambit of the law”. 

Earlier at the meeting, Ereyitomi stressed that the people of Ugborodo were not against the Olu of Warri, adding: “Nobody should use politics of kingship to affect PIA. PIA is law. All tank farms have their PIAs. The Trust will be briefing. It is about the kingdom moving on a progressive path.”

Noting that the PIA is law and “not palace issue,” Emami said the indigenes of Ugborodo remained resolute on their position of independence of Ugborodo in line with the provisions of the PIA, as told the Delta State Government. 

Elders from Bayelsa State have appealed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to collaborate with other development agencies and state governments to find a lasting solution to the perennial flood ravaging Niger Delta.

The stakeholders under the auspices of the Bayelsa Elders Council (BEC) hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s retention of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the NDDC Chief Executive Officer and called for better funding for the commission.

A statement signed by the NDDC Corporate Affairs Director, Dr. Ibiyoye Abosede, said Chairman of the Council and former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd), spoke during an interactive meeting with Ogbuku, in Yenagoa.

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Jonah said the council comprising mostly traditional rulers, had commissioned a study on how to tackle the recurrent flood in the state, noting that the report of the study was ready and waiting for implementation.

Jonah, however, observed that NDDC was contending with funding challenges because of outstanding debts by International Oil Companies (IOCs), and the Federal Government.

He appealed to the defaulting oil companies to meet their statutory obligations to the commission, to enable it deliver on its mandate to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta.

The NDDC managing director assured the elders that the commission was already taking measures to mitigate the effects of flood in the region.

He said: “We will build camp sites in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states as a temporary measure, while a dam will be the permanent solution.”

Ogbuku said a consultant had been engaged to design the proposed dam, noting that it would enable the NDDC to approach development partners and the Federal Government to agree on execution and participation levels.

 “The beauty of the dam scheme is that it will be a disaster-to-asset project because whereas flood is a disaster, a dam is an asset that will generate power”, he said 

Ogbuku recalled that NDDC carried out emergency repairs on the flood-ravaged sections of the East-West Road at Ahoada and Mbiama in Rivers State, as well as Patani in Delta State in 2022, noting that that intervention restored the link between Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. 

To address the challenges of inadequate funds, the NDDC boss said the commission adopted the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model to provide alternative sources of funding for key development projects and programmes.

 He said: “We hosted a PPP summit in Lagos on April 25, with the theme, ‘Rewind to Rebirth’ and it generated a lot of positive responses.”

Ogbuku said the construction of the Ogbia-Nembe Road, which was jointly funded by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the NDDC, remained a model of what could be achieved through the PPP arrangement.

He said: “We have started engagements with the key stakeholders, such as the oil companies who contribute three per cent of their operational budget to the commission; the state governments; traditional rulers; civil society groups; youth organisations and contractors.”

The NDDC boss told the council that when the current management assumed office, the commission had no approved budget.

 “Now the budget has been passed by the National Assembly and we are ready to hit the ground running,” he said.

Cross Rivers State governor, Bassey Otu, has ordered immediate audit and verification of civil and unified local government service staff in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr. Innocent Etteng, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The governor noted that the exercise would commence from the Northern Senatorial District of the state from Monday to Friday, by 9 a.m. daily.

Otu called on the workers to make themselves available for the exercise which would be held in two designated centres of the zone in Ogoja and Obudu.

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“In Ogoja, the exercise will take place at the Ogoja Local Government Headquarters for staff in Ogoja, Bekwarra and Yala councils while Obudu Centre will be for staff in Obudu and Obanliku with venue at Obudu Council Headquarters.

“All staff coming for the exercise needs to appear with their complete enrollment form, letter of first appointment, confirmation and last two letters of promotion where applicable.

“Other documents required are staff identity card, birth certificate or affidavit of birth, educational qualifications, Bank Verification Number (BVN) and current pay slip,” he said.

He further directed all staff to comply with the requirements to avoid the omission of their names in the verified payroll that would emanate from the exercise.

The Edo State Government has said it is stepping up regulatory standards for the operation of gas and petrol stations in the state, noting that it is set to embark on a recertification exercise for gas and petrol stations in the state for the next three months.

Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development, Isoken Omo, said this during a meeting in Government House, Benin City, held with petrol and gas station owners and other stakeholders in the state’s oil and gas industry.

She noted that the exercise is in line with the implementation of the Benin City Masterplan and the State’s Regional Development Plan.

Isoken said there has been indiscriminate operation of oil and gas stations in the state, as a lot of operators are erecting their facilities in unauthorised locations, which is caused by professionals who fail to advise their clients properly.

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According to her: “This is a stakeholders’ engagement to look at the masterplan and ensure that professionals in the built environment understand their responsibilities. It is also to agree on the way forward regarding the proliferation of gas and petrol stations in Benin City.

“At the last count, we have over 700 petrol and gas stations in Benin City. The owners of gas and petrol stations in the city have been agitating for more approvals. We need to see what is on ground and agree on a way forward. We cannot do it on our own. The masterplan is dependent on our people accepting what we have put down and monitoring it to make sure it is well implemented.”

Noting that the government will be embarking on the recertification exercise, she said: “We would do a recertification of all the petrol and gas stations in Edo State and those that don’t have approval will be treated separately. We would make progress with the cooperation of all these various bodies in the gas and petroleum business.”

Omo said the physical masterplan for Benin commenced in May 2021 and will be concluded in August, 2023, noting that it is intended to check the exponential and unplanned growth in Benin City, taking into cognisance the proliferation of petrol and gas stations with some built in residential areas and associated hazards.

“We would re-open the recertification of petrol and gas stations creating a window of three months to accommodate many people. We will work closely with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Fire Service and other regulatory bodies on the way forward to ensure safety and sanity in the sector.”

Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Edo State Chapter, Alhaji Abdulhameed Baba-Saliu, commended the government for the move but appealed for compensation for those that will be affected.

Former governorship aspirant in Delta State, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, has risen to the defense of Delta State ministerial nominee, Mrs. Stella Okotete, describing her as a God-fearing and committed individual.

She appealed to all Deltans to gird their loins and rally support for the state ministerial nominee rather than attacking and criticising her in the media.

She stressed the need to appraise her numerous potentials and skills in accomplishing her new God-given assignment rather than seeking to pull her down. Her wisdom and experience will help steer Delta State and the nation to a successful destination. We have a long way to go but her appointment has certainly made a good start.

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Dr. Ngozi Olejeme who was reacting at the weekend to the social media attacks on Mrs. Okotete, further called on those behind the attacks to shield their sword and forgive every personal grievance they may have against her, as nobody is perfect in life.

Only God is perfect;” our common goal should be how to bring the dividends of democracy to Deltans and Nigerians at large.

She frowned at the division and strongly appealed to all Deltans to put aside every human weakness and work together for the common good of the state and its people. “United there is nothing we cannot accomplish,” she stated.

Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said he is impressed with the pace of construction on the ongoing 21km Nembe-Brass road project.

Speaking in Nembe during a project inspection visit, Diri said after he visited last month and complained about the extent of work compared to the N16b mobilisation already paid, the contractor had improved and could now justify the funds government committed to the project.

The governor said that given the huge cost of executing the project, the state government was open to partnership with the Federal Government and oil companies.

He, however, insisted that his administration would do all within its power to ensure the project is completed with or without collaboration.

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He said: “We are doing this from the consciousness of developing our state. We are not playing politics with this road. The three senatorial roads are important to us, as they will open up the state.

“The resources to construct the road are enormous. So, we expect the Federal Government and oil companies to support. But due to the importance of this road, whether they come or not, we are going ahead.”

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, stated that work on the road was progressing as expected, saying the sand-filling will get to the adjoining road in a few days.

He explained that dredging was being done from kilometre two where there is a sand dump, assuring the people that before the end of the year, the entire 21 kilometre of the road would have been sand-filled.